[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 5 onwards
**Price Range**: 1-2 points
**Overview**: Pika Pika! The mascot of the series is sometimes overlooked within competitive play due to having terrible defenses and only an average speed stat of 90, but when paired with his signature Light Ball item, he turns into one of the hardest hitting Pokémon in the game on either the physical or special side. With his signature Volt Tackle and a wide array of coverage moves, Pikachu serves well as a potent low point Pokémon, that, despite his overall fragility, can easily overwhelm an unprepared opponent and must always be respected.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: When paired with Light Ball, Pikachu's attack and special attack can be boosted to absurd levels that can threaten even the bulkiest of mons. A STAB Volt Tackle is among one of the most powerful moves in the game and can do a significant amount of damage even when resisted, and paired with a vast amount of coverage moves, Pika can be tailored to put a hole in any opposing team. Light Ball is the required item needed for the set (and is the required item for every common set).
**Revenge Killer**: Pikachu's high attack and special attack allow him to revenge kill on any mon below 90 speed, and can also take out faster mons with priority moves in Fake Out, Quick Attack, and Feint.
**Setup sweeper**: With access to Agility and Nasty Plot (as well as Trailblaze to a lesser extent), Pikachu can setup on an unsuspecting opponent and sweep a weakened team with its STAB and wide array or support moves that allow for high level of coverage regardless of opponent.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Volt Tackle, Volt Switch, Thunderbolt, Thunder
**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Agility, Charge
**Utility Moves**: Encore, Light Screen, Reflect, Nuzzle, Thunder Wave Wish, Charm, Endure, Fake Tears, Sweet Kiss, Rain Dance, Substitute
**Coverage**: Knock Off, Alluring Voice, Play Rough, Grass Knot, Trailblaze, Brick Break, Surf, Body Slam, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Tera Blast
Niche Moves
========
**Fake Out**: Fake Out may be known as more of a doubles move but Pikachu can make good use of it in singles by pairing it with Quick Attack, which can surprise and even knock out frailer or weakened mons. It also can provide a mini stall tactic for weather, Tailwind, or Trick Room teams.
**Feint*: Feint may be weaker by 10 damage points compared to Quick Attack, but can still be paired with Fake Out for the purpose listed above and also has the added benefit of being +2 priority, which allows him to out-speed an opponent's priority move (particularly Sucker Punch).
**Endeavor**: Though Light Ball is generally Pikachu's preferred item, a FEAR set can also be a surprise option with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Feint. Even if an opponent doesn't actually attack on the turn when you are using the move, Pikachu's HP stat is so low that it will still take a significant amount of HP.
**Fly**: The former event move is usually not a viable option due to the 2 turn nature, but it is Pikachu’s only move to hit grass types super-effectively without Terastalizing.
**Dig**: Pikachu’s only ground move, similarly to Fly, is not usually viable but can be used to hit opposing electric types in a pinch.
**Upper Hand**: If you have an opponent with a particular mon who makes use of a powerful priority move, Pikachu can use Upper Hand as a surprise tool to cut off a potential priority sweep (and particularly can take out a dark-type Sucker Punch user).
**Present**: Yes, Pikachu actually gets this move, and though not generally recommended, it can be used to try for RNG shenanigans.
Common Items
========
**Light Ball**: Pikachu's signature item; the item doubles Pika's attack and special attack stats, turning him into a dangerous wallbreaker on either the physical or special side. Save for the niche items on occasion, Light Ball is the only item that should ever be considered for Pikachu.
Niche Items
========
**Focus Sash**: Pikachu can run a FEAR set with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Feint, which can either stop a potential sweeper or Choice Scarf mon, or, when combined with hazards, can wipe up an unprepared team.
**Eviolite*: Pikachu's defenses are usually terrible, but Eviolite can provide Pikachu with some bulk and allow for the use of Pika's support moves (particularly Nuzzle/Thunder Wave and Wish).
Tera
========
Pikachu doesn't necessarily need Tera to function, but should absolutely garner consider as a low point secondary Tera Captain as it allows Pika to operate with a second STAB and either threaten mons that resist electric moves or provide for more power for priority revenge killing. Pika's best Tera types are normal (to allow for STAB Fake Out and Quick Attack on revenge killing sets), Fairy (to get STAB Alluring Voice and Play Rough to hit Dragons), Water (to get STAB Surf to best hit ground types), Grass (for STAB Grass Knot and Trailblaze for ground types) and Ice (Ice Tera Blast hits the Grass, Ground, and Dragon Types that normally resist or are immune to electric).
Draft Strategy
========
Pikachu is best suited as for teams that need immediate and versatile power, often to either allow a different team member to set up and sweep or to pick off weakened teams via priority as an endgame strategy. Pika fits best on hyper-offense teams that, like him, prioritize power over defense, and should usually be drafted after the team’s initial core or 3 or 4 mons are set.
**Water/Ice types**: As Pikachu’s main weaknesses are Ground, Dragon and Grass types, it is preferential to draft a mon that can handle those types. Iron Bundle gets a special mention for being a high speed attacker who can handle every one of those types with STAB attacks and also appreciates the physical Pika sets to handle more special defense oriented mons.
**Additional Fast Wallbreakers/Primary Setup Sweepers**: Pikachu is well suited to pair with an additional early round hitter who can either damage a team enough for Pikachu to clean up or can set up a sweep off of Pikachu crippling one of the defensive threats. Ogerpon-Teal and Wellspring get special mentions for being a Tera Captain that can cover Pika’s ground type weakness, as well as Garchomp due to also having the ability to provide chip damage via entry hazards and Rough Skin.
**Bulky Pivots**: Pikachu can find it tough to switch in on given his low defenses, so slower pivots can allow for him to enter the battle with less damage and get a free hit. Corviknight and Uxie get a special mentions due to having a ground immunity (and the former especially for having resistances to grass and dragon).
**Screen Setters** Similar to the bulky pivots, screens allow Pika to switch into a battle with a screen defense boost. Corviknight and Uxie similarly work well for the role due to also being able to pivot over to him.
Checks and Counters
========
**Ground Types**: Ground types are the standard to handling electric types, and despite Pika’s water and grass coverage moves, they are still a huge threat, Any ground type that either outspeeds Pikachu or can tank a Surf or Grass Knot is almost guaranteed a KO.
**Bulky Electric Resistant Types**: Though Pikachu does have the coverage moves to hit hard regardless of type, any Pokémon with good defenses and holds a resistance to Pika’s main STAB poses a threat. Grass types in particular are effective for this due to Pika’s (usual) inability to hit them super-effectively, but opposing bulky electric types and dragon types can also be good options (though the latter will need to watch out for Play Rough and Alluring Voice).
**Fast Ghost types**: Ghost types can’t switch into Knock Off, but any Ghost type above 90 speed presents a unique threat to Pikachu by being immune to all of his priority moves and can easily knock him out with a STAB.
**Priority moves**: Though most priority moves are low power, Pikachu’s low defenses mean that any hard hitting Pokémon with access to a priority move can either pick off a weakened Pikachu or even take him out at full health with a damage boosting item.
**Knock Off/Trick**: Light Ball is usually Pikachu’s main item and losing it cripples him for the rest of the match. Even if Knock Off doesn't eliminate him, the loss of power greatly diminishes Pika’s ability to make an impact on the battle. Trick will also be effective in this role, minus being able to inflict damage on Pikachu.
**Hazards**: As Heavy Duty Boots isn’t a viable item for Pikachu, hazards can quickly whittle down Pikachu’s HP and can severely limit his ability to switch in and out of the battle, as well as diminish the amount of Volt Tackles he can use due to the recoil damage.
**Choice Scarf/Revenge Killers**: As Pikachu’s base speed is only 90, a Pokémon with a speed higher than that or a slower mon with a choice scarf can either eliminate Pikachu upon entering the battle or force the Pika to switch out and lose momentum.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pikachurtm.677889/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.200000
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
**Draft Order**: Round 5 onwards
**Price Range**: 1-2 points
**Overview**: Pika Pika! The mascot of the series is sometimes overlooked within competitive play due to having terrible defenses and only an average speed stat of 90, but when paired with his signature Light Ball item, he turns into one of the hardest hitting Pokémon in the game on either the physical or special side. With his signature Volt Tackle and a wide array of coverage moves, Pikachu serves well as a potent low point Pokémon, that, despite his overall fragility, can easily overwhelm an unprepared opponent and must always be respected.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: When paired with Light Ball, Pikachu's attack and special attack can be boosted to absurd levels that can threaten even the bulkiest of mons. A STAB Volt Tackle is among one of the most powerful moves in the game and can do a significant amount of damage even when resisted, and paired with a vast amount of coverage moves, Pika can be tailored to put a hole in any opposing team. Light Ball is the required item needed for the set (and is the required item for every common set).
**Revenge Killer**: Pikachu's high attack and special attack allow him to revenge kill on any mon below 90 speed, and can also take out faster mons with priority moves in Fake Out, Quick Attack, and Feint.
**Setup sweeper**: With access to Agility and Nasty Plot (as well as Trailblaze to a lesser extent), Pikachu can setup on an unsuspecting opponent and sweep a weakened team with its STAB and wide array or support moves that allow for high level of coverage regardless of opponent.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Volt Tackle, Volt Switch, Thunderbolt, Thunder
**Setup Moves**: Nasty Plot, Agility, Charge
**Utility Moves**: Encore, Light Screen, Reflect, Nuzzle, Thunder Wave Wish, Charm, Endure, Fake Tears, Sweet Kiss, Rain Dance, Substitute
**Coverage**: Knock Off, Alluring Voice, Play Rough, Grass Knot, Trailblaze, Brick Break, Surf, Body Slam, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Tera Blast
Niche Moves
========
**Fake Out**: Fake Out may be known as more of a doubles move but Pikachu can make good use of it in singles by pairing it with Quick Attack, which can surprise and even knock out frailer or weakened mons. It also can provide a mini stall tactic for weather, Tailwind, or Trick Room teams.
**Feint*: Feint may be weaker by 10 damage points compared to Quick Attack, but can still be paired with Fake Out for the purpose listed above and also has the added benefit of being +2 priority, which allows him to out-speed an opponent's priority move (particularly Sucker Punch).
**Endeavor**: Though Light Ball is generally Pikachu's preferred item, a FEAR set can also be a surprise option with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Feint. Even if an opponent doesn't actually attack on the turn when you are using the move, Pikachu's HP stat is so low that it will still take a significant amount of HP.
**Fly**: The former event move is usually not a viable option due to the 2 turn nature, but it is Pikachu’s only move to hit grass types super-effectively without Terastalizing.
**Dig**: Pikachu’s only ground move, similarly to Fly, is not usually viable but can be used to hit opposing electric types in a pinch.
**Upper Hand**: If you have an opponent with a particular mon who makes use of a powerful priority move, Pikachu can use Upper Hand as a surprise tool to cut off a potential priority sweep (and particularly can take out a dark-type Sucker Punch user).
**Present**: Yes, Pikachu actually gets this move, and though not generally recommended, it can be used to try for RNG shenanigans.
Common Items
========
**Light Ball**: Pikachu's signature item; the item doubles Pika's attack and special attack stats, turning him into a dangerous wallbreaker on either the physical or special side. Save for the niche items on occasion, Light Ball is the only item that should ever be considered for Pikachu.
Niche Items
========
**Focus Sash**: Pikachu can run a FEAR set with Focus Sash, Endeavor, and Feint, which can either stop a potential sweeper or Choice Scarf mon, or, when combined with hazards, can wipe up an unprepared team.
**Eviolite*: Pikachu's defenses are usually terrible, but Eviolite can provide Pikachu with some bulk and allow for the use of Pika's support moves (particularly Nuzzle/Thunder Wave and Wish).
Tera
========
Pikachu doesn't necessarily need Tera to function, but should absolutely garner consider as a low point secondary Tera Captain as it allows Pika to operate with a second STAB and either threaten mons that resist electric moves or provide for more power for priority revenge killing. Pika's best Tera types are normal (to allow for STAB Fake Out and Quick Attack on revenge killing sets), Fairy (to get STAB Alluring Voice and Play Rough to hit Dragons), Water (to get STAB Surf to best hit ground types), Grass (for STAB Grass Knot and Trailblaze for ground types) and Ice (Ice Tera Blast hits the Grass, Ground, and Dragon Types that normally resist or are immune to electric).
Draft Strategy
========
Pikachu is best suited as for teams that need immediate and versatile power, often to either allow a different team member to set up and sweep or to pick off weakened teams via priority as an endgame strategy. Pika fits best on hyper-offense teams that, like him, prioritize power over defense, and should usually be drafted after the team’s initial core or 3 or 4 mons are set.
**Water/Ice types**: As Pikachu’s main weaknesses are Ground, Dragon and Grass types, it is preferential to draft a mon that can handle those types. Iron Bundle gets a special mention for being a high speed attacker who can handle every one of those types with STAB attacks and also appreciates the physical Pika sets to handle more special defense oriented mons.
**Additional Fast Wallbreakers/Primary Setup Sweepers**: Pikachu is well suited to pair with an additional early round hitter who can either damage a team enough for Pikachu to clean up or can set up a sweep off of Pikachu crippling one of the defensive threats. Ogerpon-Teal and Wellspring get special mentions for being a Tera Captain that can cover Pika’s ground type weakness, as well as Garchomp due to also having the ability to provide chip damage via entry hazards and Rough Skin.
**Bulky Pivots**: Pikachu can find it tough to switch in on given his low defenses, so slower pivots can allow for him to enter the battle with less damage and get a free hit. Corviknight and Uxie get a special mentions due to having a ground immunity (and the former especially for having resistances to grass and dragon).
**Screen Setters** Similar to the bulky pivots, screens allow Pika to switch into a battle with a screen defense boost. Corviknight and Uxie similarly work well for the role due to also being able to pivot over to him.
Checks and Counters
========
**Ground Types**: Ground types are the standard to handling electric types, and despite Pika’s water and grass coverage moves, they are still a huge threat, Any ground type that either outspeeds Pikachu or can tank a Surf or Grass Knot is almost guaranteed a KO.
**Bulky Electric Resistant Types**: Though Pikachu does have the coverage moves to hit hard regardless of type, any Pokémon with good defenses and holds a resistance to Pika’s main STAB poses a threat. Grass types in particular are effective for this due to Pika’s (usual) inability to hit them super-effectively, but opposing bulky electric types and dragon types can also be good options (though the latter will need to watch out for Play Rough and Alluring Voice).
**Fast Ghost types**: Ghost types can’t switch into Knock Off, but any Ghost type above 90 speed presents a unique threat to Pikachu by being immune to all of his priority moves and can easily knock him out with a STAB.
**Priority moves**: Though most priority moves are low power, Pikachu’s low defenses mean that any hard hitting Pokémon with access to a priority move can either pick off a weakened Pikachu or even take him out at full health with a damage boosting item.
**Knock Off/Trick**: Light Ball is usually Pikachu’s main item and losing it cripples him for the rest of the match. Even if Knock Off doesn't eliminate him, the loss of power greatly diminishes Pika’s ability to make an impact on the battle. Trick will also be effective in this role, minus being able to inflict damage on Pikachu.
**Hazards**: As Heavy Duty Boots isn’t a viable item for Pikachu, hazards can quickly whittle down Pikachu’s HP and can severely limit his ability to switch in and out of the battle, as well as diminish the amount of Volt Tackles he can use due to the recoil damage.
**Choice Scarf/Revenge Killers**: As Pikachu’s base speed is only 90, a Pokémon with a speed higher than that or a slower mon with a choice scarf can either eliminate Pikachu upon entering the battle or force the Pika to switch out and lose momentum.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pikachurtm.677889/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.200000
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
Last edited:
